palatal

/ˈpælədl/

Other forms: palatals

Definitions of palatal

1. adjective

   relating to or lying near the palate
   “palatal index”

   synonyms: palatine
2. adjective

   produced with the front of the tongue near or touching the hard palate (as `y') or with the blade of the tongue near the hard palate (as `ch' in `chin' or `j' in `gin')
   synonyms: palatalised, palatalized

   soft

   (of speech sounds); produced with the back of the tongue raised toward the hard palate; characterized by a hissing or hushing sound (as `s' and `sh')
3. noun

   a semivowel produced with the tongue near the palate (like the initial sound in the English word `yeast')
   type of:

   glide, semivowel

   a vowellike sound that serves as a consonant